Ricky’s Rockets ?: Churchill Downs Picks for October 28, 2020

The Breeders’ Cup is quickly approaching as Wednesday will be the first time the pre-entries are out for the biggest weekend of the year. While we wait for those to come out, Ricky’s Rockets are alive and well off of last week’s liftoff. We are back for a 10-race card at Churchill Downs to kick off the week.

Best of luck!

Race 7: Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf

#1 Incitatus made his last start at the vaunted Kentucky Downs meet last September with Chris Landeros aboard. Runners that have made their way from that meet have run well both at Keeneland and Churchill Downs in their subsequent starts. #5 Majestic Summer also made his debut at Kentucky Downs where he finished fourth in his debut. It was a pretty impressive debut to see him pass so many runners in the stretch. As he goes from 6 to 8 1/2 furlongs, he should improve.

Race 8: $30,000 Maiden Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Lake Nimrod drops in for. A tag for the first time for Brad Cox who’s excelled at this level. His runners are winning at 37% when they drop in for a tag after running at the Maiden Special Weight level. #4 Long Term Thinking has never finished worst than second in his career. To amass five straight second’s in five races is incredible, and is the horse to beat.

Race 9: Allowance for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs) on the turf

#4 Sursum Corda ran well in his debut at the Allowance level on October 2 at Keeneland last time out. For a deep-closer, she should enjoy running 11 furlongs like she did on July 31 at Saratoga when she broke her debut. #9 Three Flamingos faces winners for the first time after breaking her maiden in her eighth career start. This will be the first start in her career against winners.

Race 10: $8,000 Beaten Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt

#6 Drink finished second at the $10,000 level two starts back, a race that will feature a similar field to what he will see in this race. On paper, he is the horse to beat. #7 Allen has never run a race that was scheduled for a fast main track in his career. All of his dirt starts were races taken off of the turf, and all of which have come at Belterra Park.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 1,5 / 2,4 / 4,9 / 6,7 – $48

Churchill Downs October 28, 2020

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Ricky’s Rockets: Churchill Downs